Question

You assess an unresponsive 65-year-old man and find that he is apneic and pulseless. The patient's wife tells you that he has an automatic implanted cardioverter/defibrillator. After initiating CPR, you should _________.

1) Continue CPR until the AED arrives
2) Stop CPR and activate the AED
3) Administer epinephrine immediately
4) Perform a rapid assessment of the patient's airway

Answer 1

You should continue CPR until the AED arrives when dealing with an unresponsive person who is apneic and pulseless, as AEDs can analyze and treat the heart rhythm after CPR provides circulatory and respiratory support.

Step-by-step explanation:

If you assess an unresponsive 65-year-old man who is apneic and pulseless, even if he has an automatic implanted cardioverter/defibrillator, you should continue CPR until the AED arrives. Once the AED (Automated External Defibrillator) is available, you may use it according to its instructions. AEDs are designed to analyze the patient's heart rhythm and automatically deliver a shock with appropriate energy and waveform. CPR is recommended before the use of an AED to provide circulation and artificial breathing, which can be crucial in the minutes before defibrillation.

In the case of ventricular fibrillation or a heart attack, the application of a large shock can terminate the arrhythmia and allow the heart's natural pacemaker to resume a normal rhythm. The use of AEDs, coupled with CPR, could be vital in saving a life before professional medical help arrives. Remember to also call for emergency medical services immediately in such scenarios.